Outreach programs in Central America?

[freewheelin frank]

I would like to do some volunteer work while in Central America. I have jacked in the job so I have plenty of free time. I plan to ride out from Florida come mid January. Any program contacts would be greatly appreciated.

Enjoy the ride!

FF

[Calvin]

Hola Frank
May I suggest Habitat for Humanity. I have done this twice now and it is a fantastic experience!!
Contact in Guatemala is globalvillage@habitat.org it was Shannon Baines for years but may have changed. You can goggle Habitat para la Humanidad Guatemala.
This program does cost a donation to the owners of the house you are building. They quailify for a 20 year mortgage of about $3000.00. Houses are cinder block and tin roof, the build usually take about 10 days.
There are groups all over Guatemala doing this the Guatemala habitat office is one of the best organized groups that I have ever seen thay expect to build house number 50,000 by 2012!!
You live in the community and will make friends for life. Last year I rode my bike back to see the family that I built for in 2006 and it was fantastic they remembered my name after 3 years and it was a good reunion.

Cal

[freewheelin frank]

Great info. Thanks Cal!

FF

[BlackBeast]

Hi Calvin,
What were your costs whilst doing this and was the committment for 10 days? Did you have any previous building/carpentry experience?

[Calvin]

Daryll
When you sign up it is for 14 days and the cost is $1200.00 on average.
The money is used for your acomadations, food, transportation to the site from an airport, transportation to the house from hotel daly and the contribution to Habitat. There is usually 10 volunters and a Abanil(Mason) and the future homeowner and his extended family. The 2 I have done have been half women and half men from 4 different countrys thats just the way it worked out

This can be used as a donation tax credit.

I am a carpenter and good in all areas of building but....... you do not need any experience!!! Everyone carrys cement blocks ,sand, gravel, water etc..
I have worked beside 20 year olds to 75 year olds, Remember you are a volunter so you work as much or as little as you want! Resting on the shovel handle or playing with the children is expected along with the hard work.

Mixing cement on the ground and carrying it in 2 gal pails is about the hardest you will work, kind of like a human chain passing buckets from one to the other.

After about 8 to 10 days of working you usually go to a hot spring or interesting site, no work on the Sundays.
It is very fun and rewarding.

In Guatemala near San Pedro on the weekend after work 6 of us Hiked Volcano Santa Maria, started at midnight arrived at the top by 6am to see lava flow and the sun rise!

Saludos
Cal

[BlackBeast]

Does sound very interesting. May start to do more research here. Thanks for the insider tidbits.